Self-Employment Programs - Douglas College (SEP)

Contact

Douglas College Self-Employment Program (SEP)
A1410 - 1250 Pinetree Way
Coquitlam BC
V3B 7X3

Tel: 604.777.6012
Fax: 604.777.6040

Email: sep@douglas.bc.ca
Website: www.douglascollege.ca/selfemployment

About The Program

The Award Winning Douglas College Self-Employment Program for the Greater Vancouver area is a re-employment strategy developed by Service Canada. Service Canada has contracted Douglas College to deliver the SE Program to eligible residents in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Pitt Meadows, Vancouver and other Lower Mainland areas.

The Douglas College SE Program has been successfully delivered since 1995. All qualified applicants are guaranteed an interview with a Business Advisor. The program provides practical training and is designed to help you get your business off to a fast and successful start. Fast start – new classes start every 5 weeks (10 start dates per year). You will be able to start your business and make money in as little as three weeks. You receive free training, realistic advice and support from an assigned Business Advisor as well as income support during the 48-week program.

Entrepreneurs, who have experienced the challenge of starting a business, conduct our training and individual coaching. Members of each business community contribute to providing insight and advice to participants in the program. The Douglas College Program is one of Canada's largest Self-Employment Programs having helped over 2000 businesses get started. Winner of the 2002 Netty Award for Project of the Year. This is an award that honours a program or service that is particularly innovative and exceptionally successful in achieving measurable client outcomes.

The Douglas College Program is the National 2006 award winner of the ACCC (Association of Canadian Colleges) program excellence award.

This program and process is proven so you can be confident in the training and support you receive. Douglas College is the only Self-Employment Program in Canada to be internationally recognized with the ISO 9001 registration, which ensures accountability at all levels and offers consistency and excellence in customer service.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

Application Process

Step 1 - Attend an Information Session.

Step 2 – Complete Business Profile Application by the deadline provided at the information session.

Step 3 – Meet with an Employment Counselor/Case Manager to have the businessprofile application signed.

Step 4 – Submit Business Profile Application.

PHASE ONE - Screening and Selection Process:

The SE Business Advisor reviews the application and conducts an interview with the Applicant. A panel selection process takes place once all applicants are interviewed, and successful applicants are contacted by telephone. Upon confirmation of eligibility from Service Canada, successful participants sign contracts with Service Canada and the SE Program.

PHASE TWO - Business Plan Development:

Six (1/2 day) workshops held over a two-week period are designed to help you prepare a Business Plan. Workshops focus on combining marketing, finances, operations and production information to create a professional Business Plan. A seventh workshop is held after submittal of your completed business plan to prepare you for your presentation to the Local Review Committee. The Local Review Committee is comprised of members of each business community who contribute to providing insight and advice to participants in the program.

PHASE THREE - Business Skills Development Training:

Eighteen (1/2 day) seminars held over a four-week period are designed to assist in the development of your skills as a business owner/entrepreneur.

PHASE FOUR - Business Coaching, Mentoring and Networking:

You receive realistic advice and support from an assigned Business Advisor as well as income support from Service Canada during the 48-week program. Round tables, success circles and an annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Evening (to recognize outstanding achievement) are part of the networking support you will receive as a graduate of the program.

Who May Apply?

All Personal applicants must:

Have an active Employment Insurance (EI) claim
Have received EI in the past 36 months
Have been on a parental claim in the 60 months prior to the program start date
Be legally entitled to work in Canada
If you receive a severance package, you may be eligible All Business applicants must:
- Be starting a business that is new to you
- Have a viable business idea
- Provide proof of majority ownership of your business (at least 51%)
- Live and operate the business within the HRCC boundaries